"Born in West Virginia, October 29, 1824; removed with his parents to Illinois in 1836, and came with his father, Benjamin Whiteaker, to Oregon twelve years after. Went to the California mines in 1849, and returned in 1850. In 1851 and 1852 was in the Rogue River county. Served in the Yakima war. IN 1859 went to the Upper Columbia region, and lived many years, returning to the valley in 1878, and settling in Polk Couny. Resides now on a farm near Independence. Married Miss Lucy L. Titus in 1871".

"In 1879 David and Lucy retired to Polk County, Oregon and resided in Independence for five years, and then came to the donation claim on which they have since resided and they are living in the home he built forty years ago. They are members of the Methodist Church. Mr. Whitaker does not pay much attention to politics, but he always voted with the Democrats. Mr. Whitaker has almost reached three score and ten mark; but he still retains his faculties, and has yet much strength and endurance. While he does not need to work he keeps up his habits of industry, and still retains the 320 acres he took up as his donation claim. In addition, he has stores and other property in Independence."

NEWSPAPERS

Fatal Accident

Morning Oregonian (Portland, OR); 15 October 1902

Serious Runaway Accident
INDEPENDENCE, Oct. 14. (Special.) David Whiteaker, who. was Injured in a runaway accident here, yesterday, has not regained consciousness, and his death Is momentarily expected. Mrs. Whiteaker is much worse injured than at first expected, and she Is now unable to leave her bed.

The Plaindealer (Roseburg, OR) 16 October 1902

Mr. and Mrs. David Whiteaker, aged residents of Independence, were badly injured in a runaway Monday. Mr. Whiteaker, who is in feeble health, received a deep gash in the back of his head and a bad wound on the forehead.

OBITUARY

Independence Enterprise & West Side; 23 October 1902

Died at his residence in this city, on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 1902, David Jesse Whiteaker, aged 77 years, 11 months and 26 days. The circumstances leading to the death of "Uncle Davey" are too fresh in memory to be rehearsed at this time. Suffice it to say that he scarcely regained consciousness from the runaway accident of last week.

Mr Whiteaker was an honored pioneer of '48 and a veteran of the Oregon Indian wars. He was a native of Virginia. In '36 he, with his parents, removed to Illinois, they being pioneers to that state. His trip across the plains to Oregon is similar to those of all that heroic band, which braved the hardships and reclaimed Oregon to the Union.

Funeral services were held today at 11 a.m. at the M.E. church, Rev G.H. Osborne officiating. Interment took place at the family burying ground on the B.F. Whiteaker farm, north of Monmouth.

BURIAL

Burial: Whiteaker Cem, Independence, Oregon
The Whiteaker Cemetery is located on the Bengamin Whiteaker D.L.C.in Township 8S, Range 5W, Section 11. It is a private family cemetery about .01 of an acre in size. All known burials are related to the Whiteaker family. It is about three miles northwest of Monmouth, Polk,County, Oregon. The cemetery has been abandoned to nature. It was last read by Addie Dyal Rickey in 1973.